Chasing so many of the same types of player this trade deadline, the two Los Angeles teams wouldn’t just be bolstering their roster with a trade. They would also be hampering the other pursuit of improvement.
Adrian Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe talked about the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers on the ESPN2’s Trade Deadline Special on Wednesday afternoon.
“There’s no question each is kind of looking wearily at the other,” Wojnarowski said. “This is a true arms race in LA.”
Lowe and Wojnarowski focused on Memphis Grizzlies wing Andre Iguodala and New York Knicks forward Marcus Morris as trade targets.
“Iguodala is a player both teams hope doesn’t get traded and somehow gets a buyout in Memphis,” Wojnarowski said — but added that Memphis “insists” that won’t happen.
The Lakers have “shown more inclination” to make a trade happen for Iguodala, Wojnarowski said.
As for Morris, both teams have been in increased contact with the New York Knicks over the last couple days as the Knicks regime changed and opened up to the idea of a Morris trade. Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times corroborated the interest of Morris from both L.A. teams.
“Both teams, the last couple days, have really been probing for (Morris) and trying to get a sense of ‘What’s the other guy doing? What’s the other guy willing to offer? How far should we go?’ Wojnarowski said.
The Lakers have also inquired about Brooklyn Nets point guard Spencer Dinwiddie and Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Dennis Schroder, the ESPN reporters said. Free-agent Darren Collison also came up on the TV special.
The Lakers would likely have to give up Kuzma in any deal that improves their team for the upcoming playoff run. Due to the Anthony Davis trade, they can’t trade this year’s pick, while protections on future draft picks limit them through 2025.
Los Angeles must weigh the win-now expectations against holding onto Kuzma, a player the team can continue to develop while on a rookie deal worth $2 million this season. Kuzma could also sign an extension next summer, which may come cheaper than expected after a down year for L.A. this season with a smaller role.
“If you’re trading him for an established veteran player, he’s probably making maybe six, seven, eight times (more than Kuzma),” Wojnarowski said. “How do you stack up the contracts to make the money work without cutting into your depth?”
But from the way Wojnarowski spoke, the Lakers still don’t sound sold on Kuzma as a playoff piece in the immediate future.
Wojnarowski said the Lakers need to consider whether Kuzma is ready for the high-pressure stage of the playoffs.
“‘We need to know we can count on this guy, we can put him on the floor in end-game situations in the playoffs and the NBA Finals.’ I don’t know if they think that’s who he is yet.”
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